14 Home Safety Tips for Seniors Who Live Alone
Living alone can pose serious security threats to seniors in the United States, but there are ways to make living alone safer for seniors across the country. Read on to learn more about living alone safely and how you can protect yourself.
14 Simple Safety Tips for Seniors Who Live Alone
Living alone is a major benefit for many seniors, and these safety tips can help them maintain their independence and security for years to come.
1. Stay in good health
Injury is one of the most significant risks for seniors who live alone; a simple concussion can quickly become life-threatening if no one is available to help. Regular exercise, a healthy diet, and plenty of water can significantly reduce the health risks that solitary seniors face. make it much easier for seniors to remain safe and happy in their homes.
2. Build a close circle of friends
Living alone can contribute to depression, poor health, and the worsening of cognitive decline. Maintaining an active social life is one of the most important things seniors living alone can do to stay safe and healthy.
3. Keep plenty of medication on hand
It can be devastating for a senior who lives alone if he or she runs out of medication. Experts recommend that the senior keep extra medication on hand, which also makes it easier to stay on track if the senior misplaces his or her medication.
4. Develop a disaster kit
A disaster preparedness kit, which should include dried food, blankets, bottled water, flashlights, matches, candles, and medical supplies, should be kept on hand by everyone in case of power outages, freezing weather, or natural disasters.
5. Keep the home in good repair
According to the National Institutes of Health, 1.6 million seniors visit the emergency room each year as a result of falls. A home with preventable hazards such as exposed cords or slick stairs is dangerous for seniors who live alone. Keep the home in good repair to avoid dangerous hazards that could harm a senior.
6. Lock doors and windows
When a senior lives alone, the risk of theft and burglary is very real, which is why it’s critical to be smart about home security, such as locking doors and windows and making sure the entire house is locked up when no one is home.
7. Consider an alert system
Senior alert systems can be very useful for seniors who live alone, as they simply press a button and help is summoned in the event of a fall or accident. This is an excellent idea for any senior who lives alone in an apartment or home.
8. Install a peephole in the door
Scammers and thieves frequently target seniors, so it’s a good idea for them to put peepholes in their doors. This is a simple security tip that can go a long way toward ensuring the senior’s safety.
9. Install a home security system
A home security system, which is available in a variety of configurations and options, is an excellent way to keep seniors safe and secure. Home security systems keep a visual eye on the home and property so that the senior (or his or her family members) can spot any suspicious activity.
10. Develop a list of emergency contacts
All seniors should make a list of emergency contacts and keep it by the phone in case of an accident or injury. This list should include the senior’s medical professionals, family members, and friends. Emergency contacts are especially important for seniors who live alone.
11. Install motion-activated lights
Install motion-activated lights over prominent windows and doors for the utmost in safety and security, as this helps prevent break-ins and ensures that passers-by can spot an attempted burglary if one occurs.
12. Have friends or family pick up packages when the senior travels
Experts recommend having a friend or family member pick up the senior’s mail and packages from the doorstep so that the house does not appear vacant, which can deter would-be thieves and keep the property safer.
13. Install handholds and bars in the bathroom
Seniors should consider installing handholds and bars in the bathroom to reduce the risk of falling. Check in with friends and family members frequently to ensure they are safe and can assist if something goes wrong.
Senior Security Starts Here
Many of us, especially those who live alone, are concerned about home security.
Is it safe for elderly people to live alone?
Exercise, a healthy diet, an active social life, and drinking plenty of water drastically reduce the health risks that solitary seniors face, making it much easier for seniors to remain safe and happy in their own homes.
How do you help an elderly person who lives alone?
Here are five things to think about if your elderly parents decide to live alone at home:
- Prepare the Home.
- Assisting with Health Care.
- Emergency Contacts and Procedures.
- Meeting Their Emotional Needs.
When should an elderly person not live alone?
Frequent falls, weight loss, confusion, forgetfulness, and other issues related to illnesses causing physical and/or mental decline, such as Dementia or Alzheimer’s, are among the top 12 warning signs that your aging parents are no longer safe to live alone.
What are the signs that an elderly person should not live alone?
Mom or Dad Shouldn’t Live Alone: 7 Warning Signs
- Trash piling up. Spoiled food in the fridge or strewn about the house. Spills not cleaned. Laundry neglected. Dishes piling up in the sink. Bathrooms becoming filthy.
At what age is elderly?
In most industrialized Western countries, someone is considered a senior at the age of 65 or so, but keep in mind that this figure is based primarily on retirement age and the age at which social benefits begin to accrue; many people would not consider someone a senior until they are at least 70 years old.
What age is legally considered elderly?
According to the Social Security Administration, 9 out of 10 people over the age of 65 are eligible for Social Security benefits, and 65 is the legal age at which U.S. citizens are considered seniors.
What helps elderly anxiety?
When speaking with an older adult who suffers from anxiety:
- Be calm and reassuring.
- Acknowledge their fears but do not play into them.
- Be supportive without enabling their anxiety.
- Encourage them to participate in social activities.
What are the signs of loneliness?
What are the most common symptoms and signs of chronic loneliness?
- No close or “best” friends.
- Overwhelming sense of isolation regardless of where you are or who is around.
- Negative feelings of self-doubt and self-worth.
What can lonely seniors do?
Cards and games, ranging from Bridge to Scrabble, are a great way for seniors to keep their minds active while also remaining social; other hobbies, such as dancing and golfing, provide similar benefits.
Are you legally responsible for your elderly parents?
In the United States, requiring children to care for their elderly parents is a state-by-state issue, with some states requiring no such obligation. Currently, 27 states have filial responsibility laws, but children in Wisconsin are not legally liable for their elderly parents’ care.
What do you do if you have an elderly parent with no money?
6 Things to Do If Your Aging Parents Don’t Have Any Money
- Get your siblings on board.
- Invite your family to an open discussion about money.
- Ask for the numbers.
- Pay off debt and out-of-control expenses first.
- Think about downsizing your home and car.
- Consider new sources of income.
Should you give up your life to care for elderly parent?
It’s also a good idea to entrust your elderly parents’ care to professionals if you are unable to provide them with adequate care, which is especially important if your loved ones have serious physical or cognitive limitations.
What specific safety concerns would you have for an elderly patient who lives alone?
Use this elderly home safety checklist to stay safe and healthy if you are a senior living alone or have an elderly family member:
- Install a medical alert system and a fall detection device. Install a good home security system. Install railings and slip-resistant mats. Remove tripping hazards.
What do seniors do all day?
“Reading, resting, and watching TV are the three things that retirees spend the most extra time on.” Retirees spend twice as much time relaxing and thinking (0.6 hours) and reading (0.7 hours) as the general population (0.3 hours for both activities).
When should an old person stop driving?
Apart from drivers aged 25 and younger, people aged 70 and older are more likely to crash, and because older drivers are more fragile, they are more likely to be injured or killed in these crashes. There is no set age at which everyone should stop driving.